Seniors celebrate at Rankin Lake

Friday

The holiday weekend got off to an early start for the residents of Somerset Court.

The Cherryville facility, operated by Affinity Living Group, showed love for its residents with a cookout and games Friday at Rankin Lake Park in Gastonia.

It was just what Betty Jones needed.

“I love it,” Jones said after taking in the views of the lake from a nearby pavilion. “This is the first time I’ve ever been down here. I didn’t know all this was down here, but it’s beautiful.”

Jones, who has multiple sclerosis and suffered a stroke in 1987, has been at Somerset Court for about nine months. She wasn’t about to let a wheelchair slow her down on Friday as she got competitive at cornhole and horseshoe.

“I’m still hanging in there,” Jones said. “I stay busy.”

The event wasn't just fun and games, however. It was also a chance to honor military veterans who never made it home from war. Sixteen military veterans live at Somerset Court, though only one, Russell Coleman, was able to attend Friday’s event.

Coleman, an Army veteran of World War II, led the gathering in prayer and said Memorial Day was a time to reflect.

“We really, really wanted to do something to honor our veterans and do a big summer blast to get them out of the facility and have some fun,” said executive director Stacy Farmer.

They even had a plan to stay cool in the early summer weather.

“We also have water guns for them,” Farmer said. “It’s hot.”

Caregivers and family members also came out to Rankin Lake.

Amy Ramsaur’s husband has been at the facility for three months. She does a music program at Somerset Court, and called Friday’s cookout “wonderful.”

“They do things a little bit different,” Ramsaur said.

Apparently staff helped residents hold something of a yard sale to raise extra money for the cookout. Some of the residents even sold coffee and biscuits to help make the cookout better.

Angela Paysour, who’s been at the facility for about two months, was happy with the result.

“I love this,” Paysour said. “It’s fun. You get out and get to do something.”

Like Jones, she played cornhole and horseshoe and tried her hand at some interactive games on a large parachute.

“I tried to get them to bounce me up in the parachute,” Paysour said, laughing. “But that didn’t work.”

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.